Not sure if it's a good thing or not but 10 players might end up averaging 30+ppg for

[sbw19]

https://abload.de/img/ppgv8kt0.png

the playoffs. I can't compare stats to pre-warrior seasons anymore. Sometimes I hit these averages with a -5 ppg penalty and pretend it's about right for ppgs 20 years ago, but even then it's still apples to uh, different apples.

[warriorfan]

Jordan could average 45 a game

[Spurs m8]

Jordan could average 45 a game

At the very very least

[Ghost1]

small sample size, two series should be the minimum. anyone can get hot for 5 games

[sbw19]

small sample size, two series should be the minimum. anyone can get hot for 5 games
That's precisely my point, anyone nowadays can get hot it seems. It's not a coincidence. The sample size point is valid, but it's doesn't detract from the overarching theme here.

Reason being, those lists will always post all players regardless of series played. Take a look at the 01-02 playoffs for example, when teams used to play best of 5 1st rounds, not many have come anywhere near those numbers regardless.

The second noteworthy difference, is the points per minute averages are through the roof. Players get 30 while playing mid-30 min a game, in the past almost all who get past the landmark have to play 40+ minutes (and most did) yet few would achieve those numbers.

It's not all rules, part of it is skills, but there comes a point when you pause and think why this's become such a trend, and whether or not it's good for the game.

[ArbitraryWater]

The talent pool is just outrageous these days

[ImKobe]

Inflated stats due to pace and lack of defense.

[ArbitraryWater]

Inflated stats due to pace and lack of defense.

nope

more talent >

[elementally morale]

It's not all rules, part of it is skills, but there comes a point when you pause and think why this's become such a trend, and whether or not it's good for the game.

I agree with everything you've said before this remark in your post.

The tricky part is: how do we decide what's 'good for the game'. For most young people the NBA is good as it is. It's good for their tastes. As for the casual fans I think there is no difference. It was games then and games now... MVPs, championships... doesn't matter.

Those who think it's not good for the game as usually older or actually old guys. (Myself included.) We think the 'game was better' 20 years ago. While it was different, I'm not sure it was better. If the new generations enjoy it, there is a future and the product sells... I have to say it's not bad 'for the game'. It may be worse for some old or older heads... but our opinion is the one that gets washed out which is a pretty natural thing.

Life was not 'better' before the internet... yet my grandma says it was. I was 20+ when the internet came around and I can't say life was better 25 years ago. It wasn't worse either. Different.

[ImKobe]

nope

more talent >

Nope, rule changes and analytics. Players aren't more talented, just better at one aspect of the game (3PT shooting) while defenders aren't allowed to be as physical to stop them from getting to their spots. I'm not saying the 2000s were better, just that it's easier to put up numbers in this era than the previous one. This wasn't always true. It was harder to score in the 2000s compared to the 60-90s due to how great defenses became, now it's gone the other way again. Prime/peak Lebron put up worse numbers than the 2016-18 version, it's not because Lebron was worse at his peak, just that it became much easier for him to exploit opposing defenses as he played with more 3PT shooters around him and the opposing teams didn't have the rim protection they used to in years past.

[Bronbron23]

https://abload.de/img/ppgv8kt0.png

the playoffs. I can't compare stats to pre-warrior seasons anymore. Sometimes I hit these averages with a -5 ppg penalty and pretend it's about right for ppgs 20 years ago, but even then it's still apples to uh, different apples.

Yup if you can come off screens and hit open jumpers and floaters you can score alot in this league. It's the easiest scoring era ever for a reason

[Shooter]

It's like fire starting.

The primitive 90s era was still learning how to make fire.
Meanwhile the 2010+ moderan era squad has flamethrowers.

90s was still figuring out how to score (make fire). 2010+ perfected basketball scoring.

90s squad (finding out about 3 pointers for the 1st time and 3>2)
https://i.postimg.cc/Gty1kMJJ/90s-finding-out-about-3-pointers.png

2010+ squad (perfected the scoring mechanics with elite talent)
http://i.ytimg.com/vi/yDkgQHw5PBE/maxresdefault.jpg

[2much_knowledge]

Inflated stats due to pace and lack of defense.

Thats it. Nothing more, nothing less

[000]

Thats it. Nothing more, nothing less

i mean three pointers might also have some part in it

[iamgine]

The top scorers just take more shot attempts nowadays. MJ's usage% was 32.7% in 1991 playoff, highest in the NBA at the time. This season, that usage% would be 8th in the playoff. Luka's usage is a whopping 40.4%. When you take more shot attempts, usually you score more. That's it; there's just been more of a reliance on the top players in this playoff so far.

[pandiani17]

It's like fire starting.

The primitive 90s era was still learning how to make fire.
Meanwhile the 2010+ moderan era squad has flamethrowers.

90s was still figuring out how to score (make fire). 2010+ perfected basketball scoring.

90s squad (finding out about 3 pointers for the 1st time and 3>2)
https://i.postimg.cc/Gty1kMJJ/90s-finding-out-about-3-pointers.png

2010+ squad (perfected the scoring mechanics with elite talent)
http://i.ytimg.com/vi/yDkgQHw5PBE/maxresdefault.jpg

Although your post is amusing, you are not right. The cavemen era would be the 50s and 60s, from then on there have been very, very good basketball rosters. I think the reason for this sudden offensive explosion is lack of defense, lots of three pointers, faster pace, etc., as other posters have pointed out.

[Spurs m8]

Although your post is amusing, you are not right. The cavemen era would be the 50s and 60s, from then on there have been very, very good basketball rosters. I think the reason for this sudden offensive explosion is lack of defense, lots of three pointers, faster pace, etc., as other posters have pointed out.

That doesn't fit his agenda though